Oesophageal Doppler Monitoring Probe Having a See-Through Boot

Abstract

An oesophageal Doppler monitoring probe tip for use with an oesophageal Doppler monitoring probe include a first end coupled to an elongated flexible shaft, a molded substrate and an ultrasound transducer assembly affixed to the molded substrate. The probe tip also includes a see-through boot encapsulating the molded substrate and ultrasound transducer assembly. In certain embodiments, the additional use of a see-through sealant material may be used to affix or secure one or more components of the ultrasound transducer assembly in place.

1 . An oesophageal Doppler monitoring probe comprising:
 an elongated flexible shaft having a distal end and a proximal end;   a probe tip coupled to the distal end and encapsulated in a see-through boot, wherein the probe tip includes an ultrasound transducer assembly affixed to a molded substrate of the probe tip.   
   
   
       2 . The oesophageal Doppler monitoring probe of  claim 1 , further comprising a connector coupled to the proximal end, wherein the connector is configured to electrically couple the monitoring probe to a host processor. 
   
   
       3 . The oesophageal Doppler monitoring probe of  claim 1 , wherein the ultrasound transducer assembly is configured to detect a speed of blood flow based on a Doppler effect. 
   
   
       4 . The oesophageal Doppler monitoring probe of  claim 1 , wherein the probe tip is oriented at an angle of between 40 degrees and 50 degrees offset from a plane essentially perpendicular to the elongated flexible shaft. 
   
   
       5 . The oesophageal Doppler monitoring probe of  claim 4 , wherein said angle is approximately 45 degrees. 
   
   
       6 . The oesophageal Doppler monitoring probe of  claim 4 , wherein the see-through boot is configured in accordance with said angle. 
   
   
       7 . The oesophageal Doppler monitoring probe of  claim 1 , wherein the see-through boot further encapsulates a see-through sealant material usable for securing one or more components of the ultrasound transducer assembly. 
   
   
       8 . The oesophageal Doppler monitoring probe of  claim 7 , wherein the see-through boot and see-through sealant are configured to facilitate quality control inspections of the ultrasound transducer assembly during a manufacturing process. 
   
   
       9 . A probe tip for use with an oesophageal Doppler monitoring probe comprising:
 a first end coupled to an elongated flexible shaft;   a molded substrate;   an ultrasound transducer assembly affixed to the molded substrate;   a see-through boot encapsulating the molded substrate and ultrasound transducer assembly.   
   
   
       10 . The probe tip of  claim 9 , further comprising a connector coupled to the proximal end, wherein the connector is configured to electrically couple the monitoring probe to a host processor. 
   
   
       11 . The probe tip of  claim 9 , wherein the ultrasound transducer assembly is configured to detect a speed of blood flow based on a Doppler effect. 
   
   
       12 . The probe tip of  claim 9 , wherein the probe tip is oriented at an angle of between 40 degrees and 50 degrees offset from a plane essentially perpendicular to the elongated flexible shaft. 
   
   
       13 . The probe tip of  claim 12 , wherein said angle is approximately 45 degrees. 
   
   
       14 . The probe tip of  claim 12 , wherein the see-through boot is configured in accordance with said angle. 
   
   
       15 . The probe tip of  claim 9 , wherein the see-through boot further encapsulates a see-through sealant material usable for securing one or more components of the ultrasound transducer assembly. 
   
   
       16 . The probe tip of  claim 9 , wherein the see-through boot and see-through sealant are configured to facilitate quality control inspections of the ultrasound transducer assembly during a manufacturing process. 
   
   
       17 . A probe tip for use with an oesophageal Doppler monitoring probe comprising:
 a first end coupled to an elongated flexible shaft;   a molded substrate;   an ultrasound transducer assembly affixed to the molded substrate;   a see-through encapsulating means for encapsulating the molded substrate and ultrasound transducer assembly.   
   
   
       18 . The probe tip of  claim 17 , further comprising a connector coupled to the proximal end, wherein the connector is configured to electrically couple the monitoring probe to a host processor. 
   
   
       19 . The probe tip of  claim 17 , wherein the ultrasound transducer assembly is configured to detect a speed of blood flow based on a Doppler effect. 
   
   
       20 . The probe tip of  claim 17 , wherein the probe tip is oriented at an angle of between 40 degrees and 50 degrees offset from a plane essentially perpendicular to the elongated flexible shaft. 
   
   
       21 . The probe tip of  claim 20 , wherein said angle is approximately 45 degrees. 
   
   
       22 . The probe tip of  claim 17 , further comprising see-through sealant means for securing one or more components of the ultrasound transducer assembly. 
   
   
       23 . The probe tip of  claim 22 , wherein the see-through encapsulating means is further for encapsulating the see-through sealant material. 
   
   
       24 . The probe tip of  claim 22 , wherein the see-through encapsulating means and see-through sealant means are further for facilitating quality control inspections of the ultrasound transducer assembly during a manufacturing process.